9mm mold ?s

[DeadWoodDan]

On the hunt for a mold to use in many various models from a Beretta 92 all the way to a Springfield XDs and a few in between. Looking for suggestions on what you are using AND why you feel your choice is good for the 9mm. Looking at all the choices at NOE and trying to navigate Tom's site along with searching what members suggest in past threads, just a lot to take in. Here are my requirements:
1) 5-6 cavity
2) 125 gr weight but not a deal breaker
3) I really like the RN designs cosmetically but will a truncated design be better for all purpose
4) would assume it will need to drop min. .358 to cover various barrel dimensions

why would a gas check be required?
almost ready to attempt powder coating or have been thinking about it, I know lube groove designs can be PC'd but does it make any difference regarding accuracy if a dedicated mold for just PC ?

I'm just trying to think this through and make a wise choice so looking too bounce some ideas off those who have been down this road. THANKS as always!

[frkelly74]

I like the lee 358 125 RF. very little problem with the one I got , a 6 banger, and it seems pretty accurate. I shoot them through my high point 995.

[Starsizer]

The LEE 120 TC usually casts about 122 grains and feeds in all of my Sigs.

[DeadWoodDan]

Haven't purchased a LEE mold in a while. Are they still dropping as advertised? Or have they listened and machining over so to size the way we want...

[Starsizer]

Mine are a little big. Usually cast .359 to .360 out of COWW+2% and I never tried to make them bigger. They’re over 10 years old. Maybe it was a good day at the plant when they were made. I size my 9mm bullets to .358 and there is a little squeeze going through the Star.

[Starsizer]

I think LEE could use a few more designs too like a 147gr. 9mm and maybe a Keith type 44. Maybe 6 cavity versions of their light 30 caliber bullets for M1 Carbines. I don’t buy 2 cavity molds.

[DeadWoodDan]

I think LEE could use a few more designs too like a 147gr. 9mm and maybe a Keith type 44. Maybe 6 cavity versions of their light 30 caliber bullets for M1 Carbines. I don’t buy 2 cavity molds.

Sometimes I think I should put my application with them, and straighten their operation out! They could do so much more and not sure why they limit themselves? I've gotten away from most of my 2 cavity molds also as I shoot more.

[tankgunner59]

I have the Lee 356-120 TC and the Lee 356-125 2R and they both drop great bullets and the weight is dead on with WW lead.

[Starsizer]

Sometimes I think I should put my application with them, and straighten their operation out! They could do so much more and not sure why they limit themselves? I've gotten away from most of my 2 cavity molds also as I shoot more.

They come out with all other kinds of doo-dads and presses but the cast bullet mold inventory remains the same. Only the price keeps casters hanging on.

[Dan Cash]

I am fond of Accurate Moulds and lately purchased my one and only 9mm mold. It is this one, http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_...=35-125E-D.png. This bullet has a slightly reduced diameter in front of the first driving band which I find useful if loading for a mixed bag of 9mms; seat the bullet to the front edge of the top driving band and go shooting.

I agree with your thought on bullet diameter and if you specify, that is what Accurate will give. Mine drops at .359 and fits a Smith 39, Astra and a Slovakian pistol carbine with out having to size the bullet and feeds like bran through a goose. A gas check is absolutely not needed for the 9mm. My loads chronograph in the full service range and are as good as a 9 is going to get.

[Outpost75]

I prefer the heavier cast bullets in 9mm. Attachment 260651

I use Accurate 36-142H in several 9mm autopistols and revolvers. Size to diameter as needed for particular gun. Mostly use 3.2-3.5 grains of Bullseye for range practice. Cycles reliably in Beretta 1951, 92, Colt lightweight Commander, etc. Also use in S&W 940 in 9mm and various Airweight .38 Special snubbies with 3.5 grains of Bullseye, shoots to same point of impact as factory wadcutters, but speed loader and full-moon clip friendly. Also great as-cast and unsized in .38 S&W Terrier Model 32-1 with 2.7 grs. Bullsye as full-charge load.

[Finster101]

If it mostly for target and plinking the Lee 358-105 works well in several brands of 9mm pistols I have.

[tazman]

I have a good number of 9mm handguns(8 actually). I size to .357 for general use in all of them, though the Beretta 92 will usually accept.358-.359 without problems. Mine shoots the .357 sized boolits just fine. My other 9mm handguns work well with the .357 including the Springfield Range officer and XDm which have tighter chambers.
I use a variety of boolit weights and nose shapes and really can't find much difference as far as utility among them. Round nose is the standard but I prefer either TC or RF. I like the flat spot on the nose.
I use 120 grain boolits from Lyman and Lee. I use the Lee 125 grain RF that is designed for 38 special but works quite well in 9mm. I use a 135 grain boolit from NOE that is probably the best all around boolit I have for 9mm. And last but not least, I have two 147 grain boolits, 1 from Lyman and 1 from NOE that work well also.
Between the 120-125 grain boolits, I can't specify a real preference. They all shoot accurately and feed well in my pistols.
The 135 grain RF from NOE is just superb in every gun I own.

I have never found a need for a gas check on any of my 9mm boolits. I tend to push them to near max standard loads since that is where the majority of my handguns like their 9mm loads to be and have never had a leading problem. I use either tumble lube or White Label NRA 50-50. Other lubes will likely work just as well.
Powder coating or Hy-Tek will work also but requires a bit different tools to do. I haven't done much with it but others can give good advice in that area.

You didn't mention powders but there are so many that will work in 9mm that picking a favorite is going to be just a personal preference. I have loaded 9mm with seven or eight different powders in the last couple of years while using up partial bottles of powder. They all worked well.

[Packy]

tps://noebulletmolds.com/site/product-category/355-9mm/358-128-rn-bn5 I like this mold, it shoots good in my 9mm.

[ioon44]

I really like my 35-130-C Accurate mold, it works great in all of my 9 mm's.

[Nobade]

Yesterday I shot the first 9mm cast ammo I'd used in many years. Lee 358-125-rf sized to .357" over 5.6gr. AA#5. It works wonderfully out of my S&W M&P, can't tell any performance difference from factory jacketed ammo. And that 6 cavity mould lets you make a lot of bullets in a hurry!

[alamogunr]

I've used the Lee 358-105 but had to seat it a little deeper than I wanted. I've also got the MP 159-135 GB mold in both lube groove and NLG but have not had a chance to shoot either one. Reports are that it is a very good boolit.

I've got a powder coat commercial bullet caster just down the road from me that I can buy a variety of coated bullets from. I've only bought 147 gr 9mm bullets so far but the quality is very good and they shoot good too. I think he is one of those run & gun competition shooters and uses that to promote his product.

[contender1]

Lots of good info above,, so I won't re-hash any of it.
But to answer a few other questions that haven't been mentioned.
Powder coating.
DO IT!!!!!!! Easy, not as messy, works great, and allows a better range of velocities w/o leading.
A G/C isn't required, and a dedicated no groove bullet can be powder coated & shot easily.

I know a lot of folks are dedicated & set on lubing bullets. It works for them & I have no issues with their choices. But, as a long time caster,, several years ago, a gentleman whom I hold in high regard tried it, & gave it his approval. I chose to try it & found that once again, he was right. I had just purchased 10 sticks of Veral's Blue,, and I have NEVER used them. PCing has become the way many of us prefer to coat our lead. Oh, and as for velocities,, I'm shooting a .357 Maxi at around 1450 fps with a PCed cast bullet,, w/o any leading or issues. Accuracy is excellent at 100 yds too.

[Cast_outlaw]

I’m going to throw my vote at the lee tl356-124-2r works well in my two 9s and inexpensive

[Burnt Fingers]

https://www.mp-molds.com/product/357...e-groove-mold/

I have this mold. It's my go to 9mm boolit. I cast them 1000 at a time.